Storage unit and mobile x-ray imaging apparatus including the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus having an improved structure to prevent breakage of or damage to an x-ray detector. One or more damping units are installed at base plates of one or more slots. The one or more damping units minimize an impact that may be applied to one or more x-ray detectors in a process of storing the one or more x-ray detector in the one or more slots.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is related to Korean Patent Application Nos.10-2016-0092487, 10-2016-0159608, and 10-2017-0074939 filed on Jul. 21,2016, Nov. 28, 2016, and Jun. 14, 2017, respectively, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a storage unit and a mobile x-rayimaging apparatus including the same, and more particularly, to astorage unit and a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus including the samehaving an improved structure to prevent breakage of or damage to anx-ray detector.

BACKGROUND

An x-ray imaging apparatus is an apparatus using x-rays to obtain animage of an inside of an object. An x-ray imaging apparatus mayirradiate an object with x-rays and detect x-rays that have passedthrough the object to form an image of an inside of the object with anon-invasive method. A medical x-ray imaging apparatus may be used indiagnosing an injury, a disease, or the like that cannot be diagnosedfrom outside.

A typical x-ray imaging apparatus has an x-ray source and an x-raydetector fixed within a predetermined space. Consequently, a patient hasto move to an examination room in which an x-ray imaging apparatus isdisposed to perform x-ray imaging.

However, because it is difficult to perform x-ray imaging using atypical x-ray imaging apparatus in a case of a patient with mobilitydifficulties, a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus capable of performingx-ray imaging regardless of location has been developed.

Because a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus has an x-ray source mounted ata movable main body and uses a portable x-ray detector, x-ray imagingmay be performed by directly going to a patient with mobilitydifficulties.

One or more x-ray detectors may be stored in a mobile x-ray imagingapparatus. A considerable amount of impact may be applied to the one ormore x-ray detectors during a process of storing the one or more x-raydetectors in the mobile x-ray imaging apparatus. As a result, breakageof or damage to the one or more x-ray detectors may occur.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object toprovide a storage unit and a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus includingthe same having an improved structure to improve impact absorbing effectfor an x-ray detector.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a storage unitand a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus including the same having animproved structure to prevent an x-ray detector from being accelerateddue to gravity during a process of storing the x-ray detector in themobile x-ray imaging apparatus.

It is still another aspect of the present disclosure to provide astorage unit and a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus including the samehaving an improved structure to improve success rate of docking an x-raydetector to a charging terminal.

It is yet another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a storageunit and a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus including the same having animproved structure for easily detaching an x-ray detector from acharging terminal.

According to the spirit of the present disclosure, since one or moredamping units are installed in a storage unit of a mobile x-ray imagingapparatus, an impact that may be applied to the one or more x-raydetectors stored in the storage unit may be effectively prevented.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1A illustrates a usage example of a mobile x-ray imaging apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a storage unit of a mobilex-ray imaging apparatus and an x-ray detector according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view from a different angle of astorage unit of a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C illustrates an enlarged view of a part of a storage unit of amobile x-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storage unit of a mobilex-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view from a different angle of astorage unit of a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a part of the storage unit ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a damping unit of amobile x-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a coupling structure of a connector of a mobile x-rayimaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate operational states of a damping unit accordingto a process of storing an x-ray detector in a storage unit of a mobilex-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate a process in which an x-ray detector docked toa connector of a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus is released according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of wireless power transmission between amobile x-ray imaging apparatus and an x-ray detector according to anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a storage unit of amobile x-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A through 10, discussed below, and the various embodiments usedto describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

FIG. 1A illustrates a usage example of a mobile x-ray imaging apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter,reference numeral “3” refers to an object to be x-rayed. Here, theobject may be a living body of a human or an animal but is not limitedthereto. The object may be anything of which an image of an innerstructure thereof may be formed by a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 mayinclude a main body 10. The main body 10 may be movable. A controller(not illustrated) may be provided in the main body 10. The controllermay control an x-ray source 20 to control generation of x-rays. Also,the controller may receive an electrical signal from one or more x-raydetectors 30 and generate an x-ray image.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include a hand switch40. The hand switch 40 may receive a command from a user and transmitthe command to the controller. A command received by the hand switch 40may include an x-ray radiation readying command or an x-ray radiatingcommand. For example, a user may input the x-ray irradiation readyingcommand through the hand switch 40 for image capturing by the mobilex-ray imaging apparatus 1. Also, when preparation for image capturing isfinished, the user may input the x-ray radiating command through thehand switch 40 so that the x-ray source 20 radiates x-rays.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include a plurality ofwheels 50 configured to give mobility to the main body 10.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include a display 60.The display 60 may display information on a patient, an x-ray image, andthe like. The display 60 may be installed at the main body 10. Thedisplay 60 may include a touch screen function.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include a handle 70provided at the main body 10. A user may grip the handle 70 and push orpull the main body 10.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include a support arm80 and a support frame 90. The x-ray source 20 that will be describedbelow may be mounted on the movable main body 10 by the support arm 80.The support arm 80 may be mounted on the support frame 90 to berotatable in a vertical direction. The support frame 90 may be mountedat one side of the main body 10 to be rotatable in a horizontaldirection. As a result, since the support arm 80 is rotatable and a tiltangle thereof may be changed, the x-ray source 20 may freely move.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include the x-raysource 20 configured to generate and radiate x-rays. As described above,the x-ray source 20 may be coupled to the support arm 80. The x-raysource 20 receives power and generates x-rays. Energy of x-rays may becontrolled by a tube voltage, and intensity and dose of x-rays may becontrolled by a tube current and x-ray exposure time.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include the one or morex-ray detectors 30 provided to detect x-rays radiated from the x-raysource 20. The one or more x-ray detectors 30 may have various sizesdepending on an object for x-ray image capturing. The one or more x-raydetectors 30 may be wirelessly realized for convenience of use. The oneor more x-ray detectors 30 may be stored in a storage unit 100 aftercapturing an x-ray image. Also, the one or more x-ray detectors 30 maybe charged while being stored in the storage unit 100.

Each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 may include a terminal 31(see FIG. 7A) formed at one side thereof. Also, each of the one or morex-ray detectors 30 may further include a detector magnetic body 32 (seeFIG. 7A). The detector magnetic body 32 may be provided near theterminal 31. Specifically, the detector magnetic body 32 may be providedat one side of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 to be adjacentto the terminal 31.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include the storageunit 100 provided to have the one or more x-ray detectors 30 storedtherein. The storage unit 100 may be provided at the main body 10. Thestorage unit 100 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1B illustrates a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure. Elements using likereference numerals as in FIG. 1A substantially perform the samefunctions as elements illustrated in FIG. 1A. Since the elements havebeen described in detail with reference to FIG. 1A, the description ofthe elements will be omitted to avoid overlapping descriptions.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a storage unit of a mobilex-ray imaging apparatus and an x-ray detector according to an embodimentof the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective viewfrom a different angle of a storage unit of a mobile x-ray imagingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4illustrates a perspective view illustrating a part of the storage unitof FIG. 3. Specifically, FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a base plate 140of each of the one or more slots 110 and 120. FIG. 3 is a view of thestorage unit 100 from the top.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A to 4, the storage unit 100 may include a body101 configured to form an exterior of the storage unit 100.

The storage unit 100 may further include the one or more slots 110 and120 in which the one or more x-ray detectors 30 may be stored.

Sizes of the one or more slots 110 and 120 may be different from eachother. The sizes of the one or more slots 110 and 120 are determinedaccording to sizes of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 stored in theone or more slots 110 and 120. For example, the one or more slots 110and 120 may include a first slot 110 configured to store an x-raydetector having a relatively small size and a second slot 120 configuredto store an x-ray detector having a relatively large size. However,sizes of the one or more slots 110 and 120 are not limited to beingdifferent from each other and may be modified in various ways. Forexample, sizes of the one or more slots 110 and 120 may be the same.Also, the number of the one or more slots 110 and 120 is not limited totwo.

The storage unit 100 may further include partitions 130, 131, 132, and133 configured to divide the one or more slots 110 and 120. Whendescribed in another manner, when the storage unit 100 includes theplurality of slots 110 and 120, the plurality of slots 110 and 120 mayface each other with the partitions 130, 131, 132, and 133 placedtherebetween. For example, the first slot 110 and the second slot 120may face each other with the partitions 130 and 131 placed therebetween.The partitions 130 and 131 may be formed to extend from a sidewall ofthe body 101 toward the inside of the storage unit 100.

The storage unit 100 may further include the base plate 140 configuredto define the one or more slots 110 and 120 with the partitions 130,131, 132, and 133. Specifically, the one or more slots 110 and 120 maybe defined by sidewalls of the body 101, the partitions 130, 131, 132,133, and the base plate 140.

Meanwhile, a first-sized x-ray detector 400 or a second-sized x-raydetector 410, each having a size different from that of the other, maybe stored in the second slot 120.

The first-sized x-ray detector 400 may include a battery 403 therein.According to an embodiment, the first-sized x-ray detector 400 mayfurther include a wireless power receiver in an area in which thebattery 403 is arranged.

The second-sized x-ray detector 410 may include a battery 413 therein.According to an embodiment, the second-sized x-ray detector 410 mayfurther include a wireless power receiver in an area in which thebattery 413 is arranged.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the storage unit 100 may further include oneor more damping units 150 and 155. The one or more damping units 150 and155 serve to absorb an impact that may be applied to the one or morex-ray detectors 30 during a process of storing the one or more x-raydetectors 30 in the storage unit 100. The one or more damping units 150and 155 may be installed at the base plate 140. Gravity acts on the oneor more x-ray detectors 30 when the one or more x-ray detectors 30 arebeing inserted into the one or more slots 110 and 120. Due to gravity, aspeed at which the one or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted into theone or more slots 110 and 120 is increased in a direction I (see FIG.7B) in which the one or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted.Accordingly, the one or more x-ray detectors 30 may collide with greatforce with an inner wall of each of the one or more slots 110 and 120,in particular, the base plate 140 of each of the one or more slots 110and 120, during a process of storing the one or more x-ray detectors 30in the one or more slots 110 and 120. The collision between the one ormore x-ray detectors 30 and the base plate 140 of each of the one ormore slots 110 and 120 may cause breakage of or damage to the one ormore x-ray detectors 30. Particularly, serious breakage of or damage tothe terminal 31 formed at one side of each of the one or more x-raydetectors 30 and a connector 160 that will be described below may occur.An impact-absorbing member such as rubber, urethane, and silicone may bearranged on the base plate 140 of each of the one or more slots 110 and120 to absorb an impact applied to the one or more x-ray detectors 30during the process of storing the one or more x-ray detectors 30 in theone or more slots 110 and 120. However, arranging only theimpact-absorbing member is insufficient for absorbing an impact appliedto the one or more x-ray detectors 30. Also, only arranging the aboveimpact-absorbing member cannot prevent the speed at which the one ormore x-ray detectors 30 are inserted into the one or more slots 110 and120 from increasing in the direction I (see FIG. 7B) in which the one ormore x-ray detectors 30 are inserted. Thus, it is difficult to expectthat the one or more x-ray detectors 30 would be accurately docked tothe connector 160. That is, because the one or more x-ray detectors 30are docked to the connector 160 by magnetic force, and gravity actingbetween the one or more x-ray detectors 30 and the connector 160 islarger than the magnetic force therebetween when the speed at which theone or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted into the one or more slots110 and 120 is extremely high, it is difficult to expect that theterminal of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 would beaccurately coupled to the connector 160.

To solve the above problem, the one or more damping units 150 and 155may be provided in the storage unit 100. The one or more damping units150 and 155 may absorb an impact that may be applied to the one or morex-ray detectors 30 during a process of storing the one or more x-raydetectors 30 in the one or more slots 110 and 120 as well as prevent thespeed at which the one or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted into theone or more slots 110 and 120 from increasing in the direction I (seeFIG. 7B) in which the one or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted andimprove success rate of docking the one or more x-ray detectors 30 tothe connector 160.

The one or more damping unit 150 and 155 may include an air damper, ahydraulic damper, a gas damper, and the like.

The structure of the one or more damping units 150 and 155 will bedescribed in detail below.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the storage unit 100 may further include theconnector 160. The connector 160 may be arranged in the storage unit 100to be coupled to the terminal 31 formed at one side of each of the oneor more x-ray detectors 30. In other words, the connector 160 may bearranged at the base plate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 sothat the terminal formed at one side of each of the x-ray detectors canbe docked to the connector 160.

The one or more x-ray detectors 30 may be charged, while being stored inthe one or more slots 110 and 120, by the terminal 31 of each of the oneor more x-ray detectors 30 docked to the connector 160. Also, the one ormore x-ray detectors 30 may transmit and receive an electrical signal toand from the controller (not illustrated), by the terminal 31 of each ofthe one or more x-ray detectors 30 docked to the connector 160.

The connector 160 may include a connector terminal 161 coupled to theterminal 31 of each of the x-ray detectors 30. Also, the connector 160may further include a connector magnetic body 162 configured to interactwith the detector magnetic body 32 provided in each of the one or morex-ray detectors 30. The connector magnetic body 162 may be provided toabut the connector terminal 161. Specifically, the connector magneticbody 162 may be provided at both sides of the connector terminal 161.

The connector 160 may be arranged at the base plate 140 of each of theone or more slots 110 and 120 so that the connector terminal 161 and theconnector magnetic body 162 are exposed toward the inside of each of theone or more slots 110 and 120.

The arrangement structure of the connector 160 will be described indetail below.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view from a different angle of astorage unit of a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the partition 130, the partition 131, a guidemember 135, a first damping unit 150, a second damping unit 155, and theconnector 160 are illustrated.

The guide member 135 may be installed at a rear surface of the partition130. The guide member 135 may guide the first-sized x-ray detector 400(see FIG. 2A) having a relatively small size, when the first-sized x-raydetector 400 is being inserted into the second slot 120. Operation ofthe guide member will be described in detail below with reference toFIG. 2C.

A wireless power transmitter 136 may be placed in the partition 131. Thewireless power transmitter 136 may include a coil for powertransmission. When the first-sized x-ray detector 400 and thesecond-sized x-ray detector 410 are stored in the second slot 120 (seeFIG. 2A), a wireless power receiver (not illustrated) of each of thefirst-sized x-ray detector 400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410may be placed in an area of each of the first-sized x-ray detector 400and the second-sized x-ray detector 410 facing the wireless powertransmitter 136. Specifically, each of the first-sized x-ray detector400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410 may include the wirelesspower receiver (not illustrated). When each of the first-sized x-raydetector 400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410 are inserted intothe slot, each of the first-sized x-ray detector 400 and thesecond-sized x-ray detector 410 may receive wireless power transmittedfrom the wireless power transmitter 136 placed in the partition 131, anda battery (not illustrated) of each of the first-sized x-ray detector400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410 may be charged.

The first damping unit 150 may include two dampers 154 a and 154 b, butembodiments are not limited thereto, and may include a single damper ormore than two dampers.

The first damping unit 150 may absorb impact of dropping each of thefirst-sized x-ray detector 400 having a relatively small size and thesecond-sized x-ray detector 410 having a relatively large size.

The second damping unit 155 may include a single damper 156, butembodiments are not limited thereto and may also include two or moredampers. The second damping unit 155 may absorb impact of dropping thesecond-sized x-ray detector.

FIG. 2C illustrates a dotted portion 130 a of FIG. 2A viewed alongdirection A (130 b).

Referring to FIG. 2C, the partition 130 and the guide member 135 areillustrated. The guide member 135 may include an upper surface 135 a anda side surface 135 b. One side of the guide member 135 may be fixed tothe partition 130 by a pin 135 c and may pivot about the pin 135 c asthe axis of rotation. The guide member 135 may be stored in thepartition 130 or protrude to the outside thereof while pivoting aboutthe pin 135 c.

The side surface 135 b of the guide member 135 may be exposed to theoutside of the partition 130 when the guide member protrudes to theoutside of the partition 130. The guide member 135 may further include aspring (not illustrated) therein and may remain protruded to the outsideby the spring.

When storing the first-sized x-ray detector 400 (see FIG. 2A) in thesecond slot 120 (see FIG. 2A), the guide member 135 may remain protrudedto the outside of the partition 130 and guide storage of the first-sizedx-ray detector 400 (see FIG. 2A). Specifically, the first-sized x-raydetector 400 (see FIG. 2A) may be stored in the second slot 120 as oneside of the first-sized x-ray detector 400 (see FIG. 2A) moves along theside surface 135 b of the guide member.

When storing the second-sized x-ray detector 410 (see FIG. 2A) in thesecond slot 120, the second-sized x-ray detector 410 may move along theupper surface 135 a of the guide member 135 and be stored in the secondslot 120. The second-sized x-ray detector 410 may press the guide member135 while being inserted into the second slot 120, and the guide member135 may be stored in the partition 130.

That is, the guide member 135 may protrude to the outside of thepartition 130 when the first-sized x-ray detector 400 is inserted intothe second slot 120 and may be stored in the partition 130 when thesecond-sized x-ray detector 410 is inserted into the second slot 120.

FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storage unit of a mobilex-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2D, the partitions 130 and 133 and the first-sizedx-ray detector 400 are illustrated.

A wireless power transmitter 501 may be arranged in the partition 130.

A wireless power receiver 401 and the battery 403 may be arranged in thefirst-sized x-ray detector 400. Although the battery 403 is arranged tobe parallel to the wireless power receiver 401 according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, embodiments are not necessarilylimited thereto, and a location of the battery may be changed dependingon arrangement of devices.

The wireless power receiver 401 may be arranged to face the wirelesspower transmitter 501 when the first-sized x-ray detector is completelydocked at a slot. Accordingly, the wireless power receiver 401 mayreceive wireless power with high efficiency.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view illustrating a dampingunit of a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first damping unit 150 may be installed atthe base plate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 (see FIG. 2A).Although a description is mainly given of the first damping unit 150below, the description below is also applicable to the second dampingunit 155 (see FIG. 4).

The first damping unit 150 may include a piston rod 151.

-   -   The first damping unit 150 may further include a cylinder 152        configured to accommodate air compressed or expanded by movement        of the piston rod 151.

The first damping unit 150 may further include a spring 153 configuredto be elastically deformed according to movement of the piston rod 151.

The first damping unit 150 may further include a lubricant (notillustrated) configured to be accommodated in the cylinder 152 toprevent friction between the cylinder 152 and the piston rod 151.

The storage unit 100 (see FIG. 2A) may further include a fixing member170 configured to fix and couple the first damping unit 150 to the baseplate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120.

The fixing member 170 may include a fixing body 171 at which a fixinghole 171 a is formed and a fixing rib 172 configured to extend from thefixing body 171. The fixing member 170 may be fixed and coupled to thebase plate 140 of the one or more slots by a screw and the like thatpasses through the fixing rib 172.

A damping unit installation portion 141 may be formed at the base plate140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120. The damping unit installationportion 141 may have a shape of a hole. The first damping unit 150 maybe installed at the base plate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120so that a part of the piston rod 151 protrudes toward the inside of theone or more slots 110 and 120 through the damping unit installationportion 141.

The storage unit 100 may further include a bracket 180 having a dampingunit coupling hole 181 to which the first damping unit 150 is coupled.The bracket 180 may be fixed and coupled to the fixing member 170.Specifically, the bracket 180 serves to prevent the piston rod 151 ofthe first damping unit 150 from being detached.

The storage unit 100 may further include a mounting member 190 arrangedbetween the bracket 180 and the fixing member 170 to prevent, with thebracket 180, the piston rod 151 of the first damping unit 150 from beingdetached. The mounting member 190 may include a through-hole 191 throughwhich the first damping unit 150 passes.

The fixing member 170 fixes the first damping unit 150 on the outside ofthe base plate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120. The firstdamping unit 150 is inserted into the damping unit installation portion141 so that the piston rod 151 faces the inside of the one or more slots110 and 120 and the cylinder 152 faces the outside of the one or moreslots 110 and 120. Here, the cylinder 152 of the first damping unit 150may be coupled to the fixing hole 171 a of the fixing body 171, and thepiston rod 151 of the first damping unit 150 may be coupled to thedamping unit coupling hole 181 of the bracket 180 and the through-hole191 of the mounting member 190.

The plurality of damping units 150 and 155 may be installed at the baseplate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120. The first damping unit150 may be installed at a central portion of the base plate 140 of theone or more slots 110 and 120, and the second damping unit 155 (see FIG.4) may be installed at an edge portion of the base plate 140 of the oneor more slots 110 and 120.

The first damping unit 150 installed at the central portion of the baseplate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 is involved in absorbingan impact on the one or more x-ray detectors 30 stored in the one ormore slots 110 and 120. That is, the first damping unit 150 may absorban impact of dropping the one or more x-ray detectors 30. Here, the oneor more x-ray detectors 30 may have any sizes, both large and small, solong as the sizes thereof enable the one or more x-ray detectors 30 tobe stored in the one or more slots 110 and 120. In other words, thefirst damping unit 150 installed at the central portion of the baseplate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 may be involved inabsorbing an impact on an x-ray detector 30 having a large size as wellas in absorbing an impact on an x-ray detector 30 having a small size.

The second damping unit 155 installed at the edge portion of the baseplate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 is involved in absorbingan impact on the one or more x-ray detectors 30 stored in the one ormore slots 110 and 120. However, here, sizes of the one or more x-raydetectors 30 stored in the one or more slots 110 and 120 may berelatively large. In other words, the second damping unit 155 of theplurality of damping units 150 and 155 may be involved in absorbing animpact on an x-ray detector 30 having a relatively large size.

The number of the one or more damping units 150 and 155 and locations atwhich the one or more damping units 150 and 155 are arranged may bemodified in various ways depending on the size or weight of an x-raydetector 30 for which an impact is to be absorbed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a coupling structure of a connector of a mobile x-rayimaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the connector 160 may be arranged at the baseplate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120. A connector installationportion 142 may be formed at the base plate 140 of the one or more slots110 and 120. The connector installation portion 142 may have a shape ofa hole. The connector 160 may be installed at the connector installationportion 142 so that the connector terminal 161 and the connectormagnetic body 162 are exposed toward the inside of the one or more slots110 and 120.

The storage unit 100 may further include a coupling member 200configured to fix the connector 160 to the base plate 140 of the one ormore slots 110 and 120. The coupling member 200 fixes the connector 160to the base plate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 on theoutside of the one or more slots 110 and 120.

A protrusion 143 (see FIG. 8A) may be formed at the base plate 140 ofthe one or more slots 110 and 120. The protrusion 143 may be formed toprotrude to the outside of the base plate 140 of the one or more slots110 and 120. The protrusion 143 uses the leverage principle and enablesthe terminal 31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 to beeasily detached from the connector terminal 161. Action of theprotrusion 143 will be described in detail below.

The coupling member 200 may include a coupling member body 210.

The coupling member 200 may further include a connector mounting portion220. The connector mounting portion 220 may have one open surface thatfaces the base plate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 so thatthe connector terminal 161 and the connector magnetic body 162 areexposed to the inside of the one or more slots 110 and 120 through theconnector installation portion 142. The connector 160 may be fixed andcoupled to the coupling member body 210 corresponding to the connectormounting portion 220. Consequently, the connector 160 and the couplingmember 200 may move together.

The coupling member 200 may further include a locking portion 230. Thelocking portion 230 may be bent from the coupling member body 210 towardthe rear of the storage unit 100. The locking portion 230 may limitmovement of the connector 160 to prevent the connector 160 from movingin a direction opposite to the direction I (see FIG. 7B) in which theone or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted, while the connector 160 iscoupled to the terminal 31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors30.

The coupling member 200 may further include a pressing portion 240. Thepressing portion 240 may be bent from the coupling member body 210toward the rear of the storage unit 100. The pressing portion 240 mayface the connector mounting portion 220 with the locking portion 230therebetween. The pressing portion 240 may be pressed by the protrusion143 formed to protrude from a lower surface of the base plate 140 of theone or more slots 110 and 120. When the one or more x-ray detectors 30are withdrawn in the direction opposite to the direction I in which theone or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted while the terminal 31 ofeach of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 and the connector terminal161 are coupled to each other, the connector 160 moves a predetermineddistance in the direction opposite to the direction I in which the oneor more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted. Here, the coupling member 200also moves together with the connector 160. The connector 160 may movein the direction apposite to the direction I in which the one or morex-ray detectors 30 are inserted, until the protrusion 143 formed at thebase plate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 comes into contactwith the pressing portion 240 of the coupling member 200. When theprotrusion 143 presses the pressing portion 240 of the coupling member200, one end portion of the connector terminal 161 may be detached fromthe terminal 31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30, and theconnector terminal 161 and the terminal 31 of each of the one or morex-ray detectors 30 may be more easily detached from each other by theleverage principle. That is, as the one or more x-ray detectors 30 arewithdrawn from the second slot 120, a part of the coupling member 200may come into contact with the protrusion 143 and may be pivoted aboutthe protrusion.

As the coupling member 200 pivots, a portion of the connector (theconnector terminal 161) coming in contact with the terminal 31 of eachof the one or more x-ray detectors 30 may be spaced apart from theterminal 31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 by theleverage principle.

The coupling member 200 may further include a fixing portion 250. Thecoupling member 200 may be fixed and coupled to the base plate 140 ofthe one or more slots 110 and 120 by a fixer 260 configured to passthrough the fixing portion 250 and may move in a direction perpendicularto the base plate 140.

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate operational states of a damping unit accordingto a process of storing an x-ray detector in a storage unit of a mobilex-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 7A illustrates one or more x-ray detectors 30 beinginserted into the one or more slots 110 and 120, and FIG. 7B illustratesthe one or more x-ray detectors 30 being inserted into the one or moreslots 110 and 120 and pressing the first damping unit 150. FIG. 7Cillustrates a state in which the first damping unit 150 is pressed bythe one or more x-ray detectors 30. FIGS. 7A to 7C are viewsillustrating a structure of the storage unit 100 viewed from the front.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the one or more x-ray detectors 30 maybe inserted into the one or more slots 110 an 120 so that the terminal31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 faces the base plate140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120. When the one or more x-raydetectors 30 are inserted into the one or more slots 110 and 120, theone or more x-ray detectors 30 are accelerated in the direction I inwhich the one or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted due to gravity.Moving speed of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 may be attenuated bythe first damping unit 150. In other words, the first damping unit 150may absorb an impact on the one or more x-ray detectors 30. When thepiston rod 151 of the first damping unit 150 is pressed by the one ormore x-ray detectors 30, the spring 153 of the first damping unit 150 iscontracted in the direction I in which the one or more x-ray detectors30 are inserted. That is, by the action of the first damping unit 150,acceleration of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 and breakage of ordamage to the one or more x-ray detectors 30 due to collision with thebase plate 140 of the one or more slots 110 and 120 may be prevented.Also, because acceleration of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 can beprevented by the action of the first damping unit 150, it can beexpected that the terminal 31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors30 would be accurately docked to the connector terminal 161.

FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate a process in which an x-ray detector docked toa connector of a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus is released according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8A illustrates a state inwhich the terminal 31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 andthe connector terminal 161 are coupled by magnetic force and FIG. 8Billustrates a state in which the one or more x-ray detectors 30 and theconnector 160 move in the direction opposite to the direction I in whichthe one or more x-ray detectors 30 are inserted with the terminal 31 ofeach of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 and the connector terminal161 coupled to each other. FIG. 8C illustrates a state in which thepressing portion 240 of the coupling member 200 is pressed by theprotrusion 143 and one end portion of the connector terminal 161 isdetached from the terminal 31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors30, and FIG. 8D illustrates a state in which the connector terminal 161and the terminal 31 of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 arecompletely detached from each other. FIGS. 8A to 8D are viewsillustrating a structure of the storage unit 100 viewed from the front.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8D, because the one or more x-raydetectors 30 are gradually inserted into the one or more slots 110 and120 by the action of the first damping unit 150, the terminal 31 of eachof the one or more x-ray detectors 30 and the connector terminal 161 maybe docked at accurate positions by magnetic force.

Because the magnetic force acting between the detector magnetic body 32of each of the one or more x-ray detectors 30 and the connector magneticbody 162 is considerably strong, force larger than the magnetic forceacting between the detector magnetic body 32 of each of the one or morex-ray detectors 30 and the connector magnetic body 162 should be appliedto withdraw the one or more x-ray detectors 30 from the one or moreslots 110 and 120. The leverage principle may be used to reduce sucheffort.

The connector 160 moves, with the one or more x-ray detectors 30, in thedirection opposite to the direction I in which the one or more x-raydetectors 30 are inserted, until the coupling member 200 configured tomove together with the connector 160 comes into contact with theprotrusion 143. When the protrusion 143 presses the pressing portion 240of the coupling member 200, one end portion of the connector terminal161 is detached from the terminal 31 of each of the one or more x-raydetectors 30 by the leverage principle. In this way, the one or morex-ray detectors 30 may be detached from the one or more slots 110 and120 with small effort.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of wireless power transmission between amobile x-ray imaging apparatus and an x-ray detector according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, the mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 and thefirst-sized x-ray detector 400 are illustrated.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may include a power supply 503 andthe wireless power transmitter 501.

The power supply 503 receives power from an alternating current (AC)power source or an external power source, converts the received powerinto a form of power required by the wireless power transmitter 501, andsupplies the power to the wireless power transmitter 501.

The wireless power transmitter 501 converts power supplied from a powersupply (not illustrated) into wireless power and transmits the wirelesspower to the first-sized x-ray detector 400. The wireless powertransmitted by the wireless power transmitter 501 may be formed in theform of a magnetic field or an electromagnetic wave. For this, thewireless power transmitter 501 may generate wireless power using one ormore of a coil, resonator, and an antenna through which wireless poweris generated. The wireless power transmitter 501 may include elementsconfigured to generate different forms of wireless power according todifferent power transmission methods.

For example, the wireless power transmitter 501 may include a primarycoil configured to form a magnetic field that changes to induce acurrent to a secondary coil of the first-sized x-ray detector 400according to an inductive coupling method. Also, the wireless powertransmitter 501 may include a resonator configured to form a magneticfield having a particular resonant frequency to generate a resonancephenomenon in the first-sized x-ray detector 400 according to a resonantinductive coupling method. Also, the wireless power transmitter 501 mayinclude an array antenna that includes a plurality of patch antennasconfigured to transmit electromagnetic waves having a particularfrequency to the first-sized x-ray detector 400 according to anelectromagnetic wave method.

Also, the wireless power transmitter 501 may use one or more methods ofthe inductive coupling method, the resonant inductive coupling method,and the electromagnetic wave method described above to transmit wirelesspower.

Meanwhile, the wireless power transmitter 501 may further include acircuit configured to adjust features such as frequency, appliedvoltage, and current used to form wireless power.

The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may further include a communicationunit (not illustrated) according to an embodiment and receiveinformation on a charge state of the battery of the first-sized x-raydetector via the communication unit.

Alternatively, the mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 may receiveinformation on the charge state of the battery of the first-sized x-raydetector via a connector that comes into contact with a terminal of thefirst-sized x-ray detector.

The first-sized x-ray detector 400 may include the wireless powerreceiver 401 and the battery 403.

The wireless power receiver 401 receives wireless power transmitted fromthe wireless power transmitter 501. The wireless power receiver 401 mayinclude elements required to receive wireless power according towireless power transmitting methods. Also, the wireless power receiver401 may receive wireless power according to one or more wireless powertransmitting methods. In such case, the wireless power receiver 401 maysimultaneously include elements required for different wireless powertransmitting methods.

The wireless power receiver 401 may include one or more of a coil, aresonator, and an antenna configured to receive wireless powertransmitted in the form of a magnetic field or an electromagnetic wave.

For example, the wireless power receiver 401 may include, as an elementaccording to an inductive coupling method, a secondary coil throughwhich a current is induced by a changing magnetic field. Also, thewireless power receiver 401 may include, as an element according to aresonant inductive coupling method, a resonant circuit in which aresonance phenomenon occurs by a magnetic field having a particularresonant frequency. Also, the wireless power receiver 401 may include,as an element according to an electromagnetic wave method, an arrayantenna formed of a plurality of patch antennas configured to receiveelectromagnetic waves.

The wireless power receiver 401 may further include a rectifier circuitand a regular circuit configured to convert wireless power into a directcurrent. Also, the wireless power receiver 401 may further include acircuit configured to prevent overvoltage or overcurrent from occurringdue to a received power signal.

The first-sized x-ray detector 400 may include a battery.

The first-sized x-ray detector 400 may use wireless power received fromthe mobile x-ray imaging apparatus 1 to charge the battery and, when thebattery is fully charged, transmit charge state information (e.g.,charge completion notification data) to the mobile x-ray imagingapparatus 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a storage unit of amobile x-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of thestorage unit 100 when the second-sized x-ray detector 410 isaccommodated in the second slot 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the one or more slots 110 and 120 of thestorage unit 100 may be formed at a slant to have a predetermined angle.In other words, the one or more slots 110 and 120 of the storage unit100 may be inclined to have a predetermined angle with respect to avirtual line G extending in a direction of gravity. Preferably, the oneor more slots 110 and 120 of the storage unit 100 may be inclined tohave an angle that is larger than 0° and less than or equal to 90° withrespect to the virtual line G extending in the direction of gravity.More preferably, the one or more slots 110 and 120 of the storage unit100 may be inclined to have an angle that is larger than 0° and lessthan or equal to 45° with respect to the virtual line G extending in thedirection of gravity. As an example, FIG. 10 illustrates the second slot120 of the storage unit 100 formed at a slant to have an angle of about26° with respect to the virtual line G extending in the direction ofgravity. When the one or more slots 110 and 120 of the storage unit 100are formed to be parallel to the virtual line G extending in thedirection of gravity, because the size of gravity acting on thefirst-sized x-ray detector 400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410is relatively large, a relatively large impact may be applied to thefirst-sized x-ray detector 400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410when the first-sized x-ray detector 400 and the second-sized x-raydetector 410 are accommodated in the one or more slots 110 and 120 ofthe storage unit 100. Conversely, when the one or more slots 110 and 120of the storage unit 100 are inclined to have an angle of 90° withrespect to the virtual line G extending in the direction of gravity,because the size of gravity acting on the first-sized x-ray detector 400and the second-sized x-ray detector 410 is relatively small, arelatively small impact may be applied to the first-sized x-ray detector400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410 when the first-sized x-raydetector 400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410 are accommodated inthe one or more slots 110 and 120 of the storage unit 100. However, whenthe one or more slots 110 and 120 of the storage unit 100 are inclinedto have an angle of 90° with respect to the virtual line G extending inthe direction of gravity, a user has to accept inconvenience of havingto bend over to store the first-sized x-ray detector 400 and thesecond-sized x-ray detector 410 into the one or more slots 110 and 120of the storage unit 100. Consequently, the one or more slots 110 an 120of the storage unit 100 are preferably inclined to have an angle that isgreater than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the virtual line Gextending in the direction of gravity. However, because an amount ofimpact applied to the first-sized x-ray detector 400 and thesecond-sized x-ray detector 410 can be defined by variables such as aweight of each of the first-sized x-ray detector 400 and thesecond-sized x-ray detector 410 and a frictional coefficient of each ofthe first-sized x-ray detector 400 and the second-sized x-ray detector410, an extent to which the one or more slots 110 and 120 of the storageunit 100 are inclined is not limited to the above examples. Forreference, angles of the one or more slots 110 and 120 of the storageunit 100 are measured with respect to one surface of each of thefirst-sized x-ray detector 400 and the second-sized x-ray detector 410accommodated in the one or more slots 110 and 120 of the storage unit100. For example, in the case of FIG. 10, the angle of the second slot120 is measured with respect to one surface of the second-sized x-raydetector 410 accommodated in the second slot 120, the one surfaceadjacent to the main body 10 (see FIG. 1B). The angles of the one ormore slots 110 and 120 may be equal to each other. That is, the anglesof the first slot 110 and the second slot 120 may be equal to eachother. However, the angles of the one or more slots 110 and 120 may alsobe designed to be different from each other.

Since one or more damping units are installed at base plates of one ormore slots, x-ray detectors can be prevented from being accelerated in aprocess of storing the x-ray detectors in the one or more slots.

Since one or more damping units are installed at base plates of one ormore slots, an impact that may be applied to x-ray detectors in aprocess of storing the x-ray detectors in the one or more slots can beminimized.

Since one or more damping units are installed at base plates of one ormore slots, x-ray detectors are stored in the one or more slots at anappropriate speed, and success rate of docking between the x-raydetectors and a connector can be improved.

Since a protrusion is formed at base plates of one or more slots, aconnector terminal and a terminal of an x-ray detector can be easilydetached from each other.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplaryembodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile x-ray imaging apparatus comprising: aslot configured to store an x-ray detector; a first damping unitinstalled at a base plate of the slot and configured to absorb an impacton the x-ray detector when the x-ray detector is inserted in the slot; aconnector installed at the base plate and electrically connected to aterminal of the x-ray detector when the x-ray detector is inserted inthe slot; and a connector magnetic body installed near the connector,and configured to: interact with a detector magnetic body included inthe x-ray detector; and fix the x-ray detector when the x-ray detectoris inserted in the slot, wherein the first damping unit protrudes overthe base plate and the connector in a direction opposite to an insertiondirection of the x-ray detector in the slot, and wherein the firstdamping unit is configured for decelerating the inserted x-ray detectorbefore the inserted x-ray detector contacts the connector.
 2. The mobilex-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector magnetic bodyis placed at both sides of the connector.
 3. The mobile x-ray imagingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second damping unit, whereinthe second damping unit is arranged at an edge of the base plate.
 4. Themobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second dampingunit is configured to absorb an impact on a second-sized x-ray detector.5. The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstdamping unit is configured to absorb an impact on a first-sized x-raydetector and a second-sized x-ray detector.
 6. The mobile x-ray imagingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first damping unit includes twodampers.
 7. The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 6, wherein thefirst damping unit further includes a bracket configured to support thetwo dampers.
 8. The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe first damping unit further includes a holder configured to store thetwo dampers.
 9. The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a coupling member, wherein the coupling member fixes theconnector and is connected to the base plate, and wherein the couplingmember is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the baseplate.
 10. The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein aprotrusion is formed at a lower surface of the base plate and a part ofthe coupling member comes into contact with the protrusion when thex-ray detector is withdrawn from the slot, and wherein the couplingmember is configured to pivot about the protrusion.
 11. The mobile x-rayimaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein, as the coupling member pivots, aportion of the connector that comes into contact with the terminal ofthe x-ray detector becomes spaced apart from the terminal of the x-raydetector.
 12. The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst damping unit further includes a piston rod and a cylinder and thecylinder accommodates air compressed by movement of the piston rod. 13.The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the firstdamping unit further includes a spring and the spring is elasticallydeformed according to movement of the piston rod.
 14. The mobile x-rayimaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein a partition of the slot includes aguide member and one side of the guide member is configured to pivotabout an axis of rotation to be stored in the partition or protrudeoutside the partition.
 15. The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim14, wherein the guide member includes an upper surface and a sidesurface and the side surface is exposed to the outside of the partitionwhen the guide member protrudes to the outside of the partition.
 16. Themobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 15, wherein the upper surfacecomes into contact with a second-sized x-ray detector when thesecond-sized x-ray detector is inserted into the slot.
 17. The mobilex-ray imaging apparatus of claim 15, wherein the side surface comes intocontact with a first-sized x-ray detector when the first-sized x-raydetector is inserted into the slot.
 18. The mobile x-ray imagingapparatus of claim 1, wherein a wireless power transmitter is arrangedin a partition of the slot and, when the x-ray detector is stored in theslot, the wireless power transmitter transmits wireless power to thex-ray detector.
 19. The mobile x-ray imaging apparatus of claim 18,wherein, when the x-ray detector is inserted in the slot, the wirelesspower transmitter is arranged at a position facing a wireless powerreceiver of the x-ray detector.
 20. A storage unit provided to store anx-ray detector therein, the storage unit comprising: a slot configuredto store the x-ray detector therein; a damping unit installed at a baseplate of the slot and configured to absorb an impact on the x-raydetector when the x-ray detector is inserted in the slot; a connectorinstalled at the base plate of the slot and electrically connected to aterminal of the x-ray detector when the x-ray detector is inserted inthe slot; and a connector magnetic body installed adjacent to theconnector and configured to: interact with a detector magnetic bodyincluded in the x-ray detector; and fix a position of the x-ray detectorwhen the x-ray detector is inserted in the slot, wherein the dampingunit protrudes over the base plate and the connector in a directionopposite to an insertion direction of the x-ray detector in the slot,and wherein the damping unit is configured for decelerating the insertedx-ray detector before the inserted x-ray detector contacts theconnector.